Iowa Conference by Charles Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Sep 19, 1912

Iowa Conference

By Charles Thompson

THE forty-ninth session of the Iowa Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held August 22 to September 1, in connection with a ten-day camp-meeting in Pilchers Park, near Boone, Iowa.

For three days preceding the opening of the conference, a church officers' institute was held, in which instruction was given relative to revival work in the churches, duties of churches in making effectual the plans of the General Conference, and in carrying forward aggressive missionary work in their respective localities. These meetings were well attended by local elders and the conference workers.

The camp-meeting was attended by about one thousand believers, seven hundred being encamped in the one hundred fifty family tents pitched. The business of the conference passed off harmoniously. Full and free consideration was given to all the resolutions adopted for the advancement of the work.

The same individuals who had borne official responsibility during the past year were reelected, and Brother A. B. Hanson was placed on the executive committee. After the election was past, a request was presented from the General Conference, asking that Elder M. N. Campbell be released, so that he might take the presidency of the Canadian Union Conference. While the delegates were sorry to have Elder Campbell separate from the leadership of the confer

ence at this time, they felt that when a more needy field called, the best was none too good to give.

The General Conference and the union conference representatives present recommended Elder A. R. Ogden, who has faithfully and successfully served North Missouri as president since its organization, to fill the vacancy, and he was unanimously elected. In answer to a telegram, he came and spent a day in getting acquainted with the workers. He also visited the headquarters at Nevada, and returned to attend the North Missouri camp-meeting and close up his work, preparatory to taking charge in Iowa about October 15.

But seven months had intervened since Iowa held her last conference in Des Moines. At that time it was decided to hold the next conference in connection with the camp-meeting. Therefore the reports rendered covered but six months. During this period, however, the conference showed a marked growth. More than one hundred had accepted the truth as a result of the efforts of the laborers. Four new churches were admitted. The tithe and offerings were about the same as last year. The Sabbath-school work showed an encouraging gain in membership, and donations to the amount of $2,775 had been received, an increase of $742.31 over the corresponding period of last year.

The following-named laborers assisted the local conference workers in making the meeting one of the best ever held in Iowa: From the General Conference, Elders A. G. Daniells, W. T. Knox, W. A. Spicer, O. A. Olsen; Dr. W. A. Ruble; Elder S. S. Shrock, of West Kansas, laboring in the interests of the Germans; Prof. M. L. Andreasen, principal of the Danish-Norwegian Seminary at Hutchinson, Minn., and Elder S. Mortenson, of Chicago, laboring for the Scandinavians; Elder E. T. Russell, president of the Central Union Conference, who spoke in behalf of Union College; Brother S. N. Curtiss, manager of the Kansas City Branch of the Pacific Press, and Brother F. E. Painter, of the Northern Union Conference, who presented the interests and importance of the publishing work. Elder W. C. Hankins, Prof. P. T. Magan, and Dr. B. E. Fulmer were present part of the time during the meeting, and assisted in a public way. The labors and counsel of all these brethren were greatly appreciated.

Sister Flora V. Dorcas, in addition to looking after the interests of the Sabbath-school, had charge of the children's meetings. She was assisted by Elizabeth Neal, Mary L. Johnson, and Eva Smouse. These services constituted one of the most helpful and effective series of meetings ever held for children.

The young people's meetings were in charge of Brother Geo. R. E. McNay and Elder J. W. McComas, who were assisted from time to time by the general workers present.

The institutional work in Iowa gave an encouraging report. The Iowa Sanitarium, after writing off several thousand dollars to charity, showed a net gain of $1,800. The Oak Park Academy, notwithstanding that the past year was its first year in operation, and that the building had to be completed during the school term, cleared its operating expenses. These institutions bid fair to make a splendid record.

During the camp-meeting $3,500, cash and pledges, a forty-acre farm, and $290 Sabbath-school offerings were received for missions; and $575 for the Loma Linda medical school.

The spiritual work was strongly emphasized throughout. Both Sabbaths a splendid revival spirit took hold upon all hearts. Many gave themselves to God for the first time, and Sunday evening thirty-eight were baptized.

The meeting closed with the feeling on the part of all that Iowa had enjoyed a blessed meeting. The believers returned to their homes with renewed consecration and determination to do more effective service for their master.

CHAS. THOMPSON.